Air France resumes Cape Town-Paris flights

by DION HENRICK
CAPE TOWN, (CAJ News) – AIR France is restoring its popular seasonal direct service between Cape Town and Paris for the 2026/27 summer travel season, strengthening air connectivity between South Africa and France.

The service will operate from September 22, 2026 to March 27, 2027, with the airline increasing frequencies from three to five flights weekly as the season progresses.

From September 22 to October 31, Air France will operate three weekly flights between Cape Town International Airport and Paris-Charles de Gaulle on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Flights will depart Cape Town at 00:15 and arrive in Paris at 12:15 the same day. Passengers using the overnight departure will need to arrive at Cape Town International Airport on the evening before their scheduled flight.

From November 1 to March 27, the frequency will increase to five flights per week, operating on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

During this period, flights will depart Cape Town at 08:30 and arrive at Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 19:20.

All flights will be operated with Air France’s Airbus A350-900, one of the airline’s flagship long-haul aircraft.

The seasonal service forms part of Air France’s efforts to strengthen its long-haul network while responding to demand for travel between South Africa and France.

The Paris-Charles de Gaulle hub will also provide South African passengers with onward connections to destinations across Europe and the airline’s wider international network.

Wilson Tauro, Country Manager Southern Africa at Air France-KLM, said the airline was pleased to restore the route, citing strong links between Cape Town and Paris through tourism, business and culture.

“Increasing the service to five flights a week for the majority of the season gives our customers even greater flexibility when planning their European travels,” Tauro said.

He said the route remained important to Air France’s commitment to connecting South Africa with international destinations through its Paris hub.

The reinstated service is expected to provide additional travel options for South Africans visiting France, as well as international travellers heading to the Western Cape.

The route also comes at a time when airlines are seeking to expand international connectivity to Cape Town, one of Africa’s leading tourism and business destinations.

For travellers, the increased frequency during most of the season offers greater flexibility for holidays, business trips and onward travel across Europe.

Air France’s seasonal operation will therefore provide a direct link between two major tourism and business centres while offering convenient connections through Paris to a wider range of international destinations.

– CAJ News